Videovision Entertainment’s “Shepherds And Butchers” To Be Released In The United States

Producer, Anant Singh and Twentieth Century Fox announced today the acquisition of the United States distribution rights by Fox to the award-winning film, SHEPHERDS AND BUTCHERS. The film will be released in the US on various formats, including Digital HD on 24 January 2017, followed by the DVD release on 31 January.

Produced by Singh and Brian Cox (who also wrote the screenplay), SHEPHERDS AND BUTCHERS is helmed by multiple award winning director, Oliver Schmitz (‘Mapantsula’; ‘Life, Above All’). The film sees Academy Award® nominee, Steve Coogan (‘Philomena’) as defence attorney, John Weber, while Andrea Riseborough (‘Birdman’) plays prosecutor, Kathleen Marais. Shining in his role as a 19-year-old death row prison warder is the rising star of the South African film industry, Garion Dowds. The film also sees an ensemble of well-known South African talent including Deon Lotz, Robert Hobbs, Eduan van Jaarsveldt, Marcel van Heerden and Sylvia Mdunyelwa.

Set in late 1980s South Africa, SHEPHERDS AND BUTCHERS follows John Weber, a hotshot lawyer who faces his biggest test when he agrees to defend a prison guard who has killed seven men. What ensues is a compelling charge against the death penalty itself, in a case that changes history. It is based on the award-winning South African novel by Chris Marnewick, a former advocate of the Durban bar who filled the pages of his book with meticulously researched factual information amassed from his years as a defense attorney.

Commenting on the deal, Singh said, “Twentieth Century Fox has the expertise to handle films that transcend all genres and controversial issues. We believe that they are perfectly suited to distribute SHEPHERDS AND BUTCHERS in the US. The film will no doubt generate debate and we look forward to a successful release.”

SHEPHERDS AND BUTCHERS will be released in South Africa on DStv’s Box Office platform on 6 February, followed by the DVD release on 20 February 2017.

SHEPHERDS AND BUTCHERS is an Anant Singh presentation of a Videovision Entertainment/Distant Horizon production in association with Times Media Films, WDR/ARTE and The Department of Trade and Industry South Africa. The film stars Steve Coogan, Andrea Riseborough and Garion Dowds. Music is composed by Paul Hepker, is edited by Megan Gill with Diana Cilliers as Costume Designer and Director of Photography Leah Striker. It is executive produced by Robert Naidoo, Sudhir Pragjee, Sanjeev Singh, Andrew Bonamour and Andrew Gill; co-producers Barbara Buhl, Andreas Schreitmueller and Jan Krüger. Produced by Anant Singh and Brian Cox, the film is based on the book ‘Shepherds and Butchers’ by Chris Marnewick with the screenplay by Brian Cox and is directed by Oliver Schmitz.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShepherdsAndButchersFilm

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By Andrew Germishuys

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